After this I saw another angel descending from heaven with great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his glory.
Parallel translations
- WEB After these things, I saw another angel coming down out of the sky, having great authority. The earth was illuminated with his glory.
- KJV And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.
- NKJV Afterthese things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory.
- NASB After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated from his glory.
- NLT After all this I saw another angel come down from heaven with great authority, and the earth grew bright with his splendor.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Another mighty angel descends, and the earth is lit by his glory as he proclaims Babylon's fall. Heaven's radiance heralds judgment on darkness.
Overview
The scene shifts to the announcement of Babylon's doom, delivered by an angel of such authority that his glory illuminates the earth. The brightness contrasts with the city's coming desolation and darkness. This heavenly herald assures the church that the corrupt world-system, however dazzling, is about to be exposed and overthrown.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- Ezek 43:2and I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. His voice was like the roar of many waters, and the earth shone with His glory.
- Luke 17:24For just as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other, so will be the Son of Man in His day.
- Rev 17:1Then one of the seven angels with the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters.
- Rev 21:23And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, because the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its lamp.
- 2 Th 2:8And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will slay with the breath of His mouth and annihilate by the majesty of His arrival.
- Rev 10:1Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head. His face was like the sun, and his legs were like pillars of fire.
- Isa 60:1–3Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
- Rev 17:7“Why are you so amazed?” said the angel. “I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and ten horns.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Revelation ends the story with the slain-yet-standing Lamb who is worthy, the Lion of Judah, the Alpha and Omega, the returning King who makes all things new and dwells with his people forever.
How Revelation 18:1 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.